Teenagers in Braintree and Witham are to have a say on the way health services are delivered.

It is hoped that after a meeting next month, a health forum for young people will be set up, which will play a part in shaping services and making them more user- friendly.

It follows a successful conference for schoolchildren in November, when discussions on health issues particularly affecting young people were led by sixth-form pupils from Braintree College and Rickstones Sixth Form College in Witham.

At the end, an appeal was made for those who wanted to become more involved and a group of about 12 will form the basis for a meeting on February 17 to discuss setting up a forum.

It is being run by the Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust in collaboration with the youth service and other youth agencies.

Health development adviser at the Trust, Colin Seward, said it would be up to the youngsters how the project moved forward.

The meeting next month is being held at the Parkside Youth Centre in Maldon Road, Witham.

Anyone between 13 and 19 who would like to attend should contact Mr Seward on 01376 333533.

Published Monday January 19, 2004

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